Home Office

Islam

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 22 March (HL14054) which states "Islamist extremism is not true Islam", what assessment have they made of (1) any verses in the Koran which appear to support violence, and (2) the use of these verses by Islamist extremists to sanction violence.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We look at and assess all material that may be used by extremists to support or justify violence and will not tolerate those who spread divisive and harmful narratives.We remain of the view that the propaganda used by Islamist extremists is a distortion of true Islam.

Refugees: Community Relations

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment have they made of the benefits of the government of Germany’s policies for integrating approximately two million refugees since 2015; and what conclusions have they drawn from any such assessment in adapting their policies for refugee integration.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office regularly engage with our international counterparts and seek to incorporate their findings into our evidence base, and this has informed our work to date.We have already committed £14 million for a cross-government Refugee Transitions Outcomes Fund to offer greater support to refugees with a focus on employment, housing and wider integration.Building on this programme and other schemes available, we will develop a package of tailored support - such as language training, skills development and work placements – to help refugees build their lives in the UK.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Festival UK* 2022

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage smaller communities and towns to participate in Festival UK* 2022.

Baroness Barran: We have recently announced the 10 teams that will deliver world class creative projects in urban, rural and coastal communities across the UK in 2022. In partnership with the Festival Company, these teams are now starting pre-production to develop the content of their projects and determine the final locations.Together, the 10 projects are designed to reach populations throughout the UK. As well as public events there will be learning and participation programmes aimed at engaging local communities and encouraging them, and the rest of the country, to take part. The Festival programme will be announced later this year.

UK City of Culture: Coventry

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Coventry City Council about Coventry's designation as the 2021 UK City of Culture; and what support they have (1) provided, and (2) plan to provide, to that Council for theduration of Coventry being the City of Culture.

Baroness Barran: DCMS liaise regularly with Coventry City Council and The Coventry Trust as they are preparing for their tenure as UK City of Culture 2021. This government has already committed over £18.5 million to support Coventry, which includes the recent announcement of £3.5m additional funding which will be used to prepare enhanced covid-19 safety and hygiene methods and provide reassurance to audiences. This government remains committed to working with Coventry City Council and The Coventry Trust to provide continued support throughout 2021 and 2022.

Football Index

Lord Foster of Bath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the responsibilities of the (1) Financial Conduct Authority, and (2) Gambling Commission, in regulating Football Index.

Lord Foster of Bath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) the owners and management of Football Index, and (2) individuals affected by the collapse of Football Index.

Baroness Barran: The government is taking the collapse of BetIndex Ltd (the operators of Football Index) and the concerns of those affected by this very seriously. We have heard from hundreds of individuals affected by these events in recent weeks, and on 20 April we announced an independent review of the regulation of the Football Index product. This review is intended to take an objective look at the decisions and actions of the Gambling Commission and any other relevant regulators, to provide a clear account of how the company’s activities were regulated, identify if there are potential areas for improvement and inform our Review of the Gambling Act 2005. The Gambling Commission licensed BetIndex Ltd in 2015 and is responsible for ensuring that gambling operators comply with the gambling legislation and the conditions and codes of practice attached to their operating licences. The activities regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority are primarily set out in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order (the RAO). The RAO contains the financial services activities, known as ‘regulated activities’, that require FCA authorisation before firms or individuals can carry them out. BetIndex was not authorised by the FCA.The Commission is continuing its regulatory investigation into BetIndex Ltd and administration proceedings are ongoing. Our independent review is separate to those processes, and will be carried out and report in a way which will not compromise them. The government has not had discussions with BetIndex’s owners and management. A Written Ministerial Statement on Regulation of Football Index was published on Tuesday 20 April 2021. It is publicly available here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2021-04-20/hcws929

Department for Transport

Electric Scooters

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to remove privately owned e-scooters from the highway when the scheme to permit only e-scooters which have been licensed for hire comes into effect.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We are running 32 trials where approved rental e-scooter vehicles can be legally ridden by users that meet a set of requirements, potential users include anyone with a full or provisional licence. Privately owned e-scooters being ridden on public roads are being done so illegally and a range of motoring offences apply and can be enforced by the police.

Buses: Exhaust Emissions

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the cost of delivering the 4,000 new zero emission buses they committed to in the National Bus Strategy.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The cost of individual vehicles, and accompanying infrastructure, will depend on a number of case by case factors including the types of vehicles chosen, the scale of individual projects and the associated infrastructure requirements. On 30 March 2021 the Government launched the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme. Under this scheme local transport authorities will be able to bid for up to £120 million to introduce zero emission buses and associated infrastructure. The funding from this scheme could assist with the introduction of up to 500 zero emission buses and associated infrastructure.In addition, £50 million has been provided in through the All-Electric Bus Town or City scheme. This funding could assist with the introduction of up to 300 zero emission buses and associated infrastructure. Together, Government funding currently could support the purchase of 800 zero emission buses and the infrastructure needed to support them.The Department is continuing to review how to support the introduction of zero emission buses and associated infrastructure in future years.

Railways: Bridges

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to review existing plans by Highways England to demolish historic rail bridges and tunnels; and whether they have plans to instruct Highways England to prioritise measures that encourage walking and cycling.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Highways England manages the Historical Railways Estate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport and has been in touch with all the local authorities affected, to advise them of its plans, and to see if they have any use for the structures. Highways England is pausing works where local authorities have raised queries about the works, and where there is credible interest for possible re-purposing and transfer of ownership of the assets.The Department has also asked Highways England to consult with the relevant local authorities concerning the retention, where practicable, of access for pedestrians and cyclists. Highways England continues to work with local authorities and other groups to protect routes for active travel or future rail use. Indeed, several structures are being transferred this year to assist with this.

Level Crossings: Closures

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many applications under the Transport and Works Act 1992 order process to modify or close level crossings have been (1) received, (2) approved, and (3) rejected, per region in each of the last five years; and how many are completed within each yearly timeframe.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Since 2016, seven applications have been received under the Transport and Works Act 1992 for powers relating to the very purpose of modifying or closing level crossings. The table below provides details on each of these applications including the year they were received, the region they are in and whether they were approved or rejected. The implementation of modifications or closures to level crossings, approved by a Transport and Works Act Order, is a matter for the applicant, which in the case of all those listed in the table below is Network Rail.  Year application receivedName of Application RegionApplication approved or rejected 2016The Network Rail (Northumberland Park Level Crossing and Coppermill Lane Level Crossing Closure) OrderLondonApproved2017Network Rail (Felixstowe Branch Line Improvement -Level crossing closure) OrderEastApproved2017Network Rail (Abbots Ripton Level crossing) OrderEastApproved2017Network Rail (Kingsmill No.1 Level Crossing (Land Acquisition and Closure) OrderEast MidlandsApproved2017Network Rail (Suffolk Level Crossing Reduction) OrderEastPartially Approved2017Network Rail (Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction) OrderEastPartially Approved2017Network Rail (Essex Level Crossing Reduction) OrderEastThis application is to be decided

Level Crossings: Safety

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any increased risk to the safety of (1) pedestrians, and (2) other road users, due to delays in the completion of the Transport and Works Act 1992 order process to modify or close level crossings.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Department does not carry out any assessment of risks associated with level crossings that are applied for either modification or closure under the Transport and Works Act 1992. It is for Network Rail to manage the risk at crossings owned by them, in its capacity as the duty holder. This risk must be managed and mitigated regardless of the length of time it takes for an application under the Transport and Works Act to complete and for the level crossing to be modified or closed.

Driving Licences

Lord Lipsey: To ask Her Majesty's Government why those who receive a new driving licence from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are required to cut in half and return their previous driving licence to the DVLA; and what estimate they have made of the annual cost to their customers of this requirement.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: It is a long-standing requirement to return the previous driving licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when a new licence has been issued. This helps to reduce the number of previous driving licences in circulation and to ensure that drivers only have one licence at any time. This requirement is currently under consideration. No specific estimate has been made of the annual cost to customers to return their previous driving licence.

Passengers: Swinderby Railway Station

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the expected increase in passenger numbers at Swinderby train station resulting from the forthcoming additional train services; and what evidence this estimate is based on.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The additional train service formed part of the wider passenger service enhancements for the East Midlands outlined when the East Midlands Franchise started in August 2019, and consideration focused on the route benefits rather than at a specific station.

Electric Vehicles

Lord Porter of Spalding: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the electrification of vehicles on (1) lowering the cost of motoring, and consequentially, (2) the mode shift to public transport and active travel.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: While electric vehicles (EVs) currently cost more to purchase than their petrol and diesel alternatives, EV motorists benefit from their comparatively cheaper running costs. It costs from 1p/mile to run a new electric vehicle, compared to around 10p per mile for new diesel/petrol vehicles. Additionally, we have put in place a tax regime that benefits motorists who choose cleaner vehicles. We expect the upfront cost and total cost of ownership of EVs to come down and demand to grow even further as they become more commonplace. Our ambitions for zero emission driving will be supported by an accompanying package of £2.8 billion, with up to £1 billion to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains, £1.3 billion to accelerate the roll out of charging infrastructure and £582 million for plug in vehicle grants. Accelerating modal shift to public and active transport is one of the strategic priorities for our forthcoming Transport Decarbonisation Plan and forms a key part of both last year’s cycling and walking plan “Gear Change” and the recent National Bus Strategy.

Driving: Safety

Lord Berkeley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the distraction of drivers using in-vehicle infotainment systems.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We have not undertaken an assessment of the distraction of drivers using in-vehicle infotainment systems.